FUSING MUSIC AND ART: “CHAMBER MUSIC AT THE ESTHER MASSRY GALLERY”

World Premiere, Modern and Contemporary Works in Saint Rose Concert

ALBANY (January 5, 2011) -- The “Chamber Music at the Esther Massry Gallery” concert series begins its second season Sunday, January 23, with COMPOS’ ite: Works by Modern and Contemporary Composers performed by an ensemble of Saint Rose music faculty. Featured will be the world premiere of “CONSTRUCT” by resident composer Bruce Craig Roter in response to the Creighton Michael exhibition on view at the gallery through January 23.

The concert will take place at 3 p.m. in the Esther Massry Gallery located in the Massry Center for the Arts, 1002 Madison Ave., Albany. Suggested donation is $20 (free with Saint Rose I.D.). Seating is limited; reservations are encouraged. For reservations or more information, contact Jeanne Flanagan, gallery director, at 518-485-3902 or flanagaj@strose.edu.

COMPOS’ ite emphasizes the conceptual, visual, spatial and sensual collaboration between modernist-contemporary music and art, the concepts of mark-making, process and techniques manifested in both, and the experiential possibilities that extend to the audience.

Commissioned by the gallery and written for flute, violin, viola, and cello, Roter’s “CONSTRUCT” is a collaborative effort with artist Creighton Michael for the exhibition “Tangible Marking: The Dimensional Drawings of Creighton Michael.” Roter gains inspiration from Michael’s artwork as well as his creative process. This is especially true with regard to the manipulation of materials to create dimensional objects. Whereas the artist creates an interplay of spontaneity and structure by overlaying materials upon a grid, “CONSTRUCT” presents the introduction and manipulation of sonic events as they are layered upon the relative stability of a steady pulse (most frequently reflected by the plucked notes of string instruments).

While the concept of dimension is significant within Michael’s work, the present collaboration offers viewers and audience members an added dimension. The vibrancy and interest created between structure and spontaneity (the “fixed” versus the “mobile/temporal”) as seen in Michael’s work become re-interpreted in a new and wonderful way through this combined visual/aural experience.

“Chamber Music at the Esther Massry Gallery” offers opportunities for audiences to compare the different ways in which artistic expression is manifested and the means by which musicians and artists create their works. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about the music performed and the artistic process. Mid- and post-performance conversations between the audience and performers serve as further catalysts for cross-disciplinary discussion.